THE Gut Mind CONNECTION

 I would love to talk about something very basic that can have a huge impact on Your mental wellbeing and that is food! 

The nutrition you consume doesn’t just affect your physical body. It also affects your emotional and mental health. Food even affects your energy body too! Did you know that you can use food to balance your chakras? Well you do now… but that’s a blog for another day. 

Today I want to talk to you about the scientifically proven gut mind connection and give you 10 tips on how you can improve your food habits to improve your mental health.

The Gut Mind Connection

Gut Mind Connection

Did you know your gut has a brain called the enteric nervous system? And this brain works very closely with your main brain.

 So there is no surprise to say your diet can affect your mental wellbeing. 

Diets full of sugar or caffeine can put you on an emotional and energy rollercoaster all the time, Feeling good one minute, and feeling like crap the next. 

Preservatives, food colourings and additives have been proven to cause or worsen hyperactivity and depression. 

So a great way to look after your mental health is to review your diet and make it more wholesome and balanced. 

10 Ways To Improve Your Gut 

  1. First & foremost, drink at least 2 litres of water daily! I always drink a pint of water as soon as I wake up to help me start me on the right foot to stay hydrated. 
  2. Swap to wholegrains this helps increase your intake of complex carbs and lowers the intake of simple carbs. (Complex carbs are high in fibre, which increase metabolism and keep you feeling full. Simple carbs are low in fibre, the body turns them to fat and makes you feel tired)
  3. Include more fibre such as fresh fruit and vegetables and beans.
  4. Eating in-season food.
  5. Eating food such as berries, leafy greens, dark chocolate and the spice turmeric is a great way to get more anti-oxidants.
  6. Include omega 3 fatty acid through chia seeds (just add to yoghurt or cereals) or fish such as salmon and mackerel.
  7. Stop drinking caffeine past 2 pm and cut down on sugar or switch to honey.
  8. Include protein such as meat, lentils, dairy, fish and nuts.
  9. If you’re a smoker your body can’t properly digest food within half an hour of a cigarette, so be mindful of smoking around the time of eating.
  10. A great rule of thumb is the 80/20 rule. 80% Healthy, 20% naughty, should help keep your emotions, hormones and energy steady and help promote a healthy gut and a healthy mind. And you still get to have your treats.

If you find this interesting, you can find out more here -> Food & Your Mood: How Food Affects Mental Health – Aetna | Foods That Help Your Brain Health

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